So today I was sent to the grocery store to pick up 3 things.

-5 Bananas
-5 Nectarines
- 1 Jar of Mayo because it was on sale for $1.99 at Safeway w/coupon.

So anyways, I actually decided to look at the Safeway ad because of the 4th of July specials. So I made my list, checked it twice... everything on the list was on sale and I had coupons for. Everything... except for the Bananas and Nectarines.

I ended up spending $80. But... total savings... $69.10. This is with coupons and in-store sales. I've never saved that much grocery shopping ever. Well this was the first time I actually made an effort to make a list and stick to it. I had my coupons already sorted out, pulled already.

On my list also included stuff I didn't really need right now but the sale combined with the coupon couldn't resist. Like aluminum foil. I bought two... I didn't really need it but it was on sale and I had two $1.00 off coupons that were about to expire.

So... yeah. I ended up spending a little more than i was originally planning on spending considering I only was suppose to get those 3 things. But I'm just excited to see how much I saved, usually it's no more than $30. But $69.10. I'm going to try to out do myself next time and get the bill down lower. I think it would be so cool to be one of those people you hear about buying all these groceries and spending like $5.00.

But this is how I set up my grocery list

-(5) Bananas
-(5) Nectarines
- Mayo (Coupon)
- (2- 75cu) Reynolds Aluminum Foil (Sale 2For, Coupon)
- Viva Papertowel (6pk) (Sale, Coupon)
- Oceanspray Cranberry Juice (Sale, Coupon)
- (6) Cat Treats (1 BOGO Free, 1 B2GO Free, $1.00 off one, $0.50 off one coupon, Sale)
- (5) 12pk Soda (Sale B2G3 Free)

and then other things. But yeah I know there is still room for more savings in my list. But this is the first time I actually made a list like this. So, it helped me save a lot of time by have it all written out and know exactly what size I need to make the coupon or sale valid.

Does anyone else have helpful ideas that they use to help them save money grocery shopping? Just curious. I'm always open to new ideas.